US 6,169,594 AGranted

Beam deflector and scanner

AssigneePhysical Optics Corporation

InventorsTin M. Aye, Gajendra D. Savant

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Abstract

A beam deflector comprising a pair of mated microprism arrays with one of the arrays comprised of a variable refractive index material capable of being selectively changed in response to a field whose magnitude or intensity is regulated by regulating voltage applied. The other array preferably is comprised of a material having a constant refractive index. A conductive layer is disposed on both sides of the variable refractive index array. A pane preferably is disposed in front and behind the arrays. Two pairs of the arrays can be arranged parallel to each other with their microprisms generally perpendicular forming a two-dimensional deflector. To achieve a deflection response time faster than 100 μs, each prism has a height no larger than about 20 μm and a width preferably no greater than about 100 μm. Preferably, each prism height is less than about 15 to about 10 μm to achieve a response time 30 μs or faster. A method of making the deflector includes using direct-write electron beam lithography to make a master for replicating arrays having a height of 10 μm or less. A pair of deflectors can be used to deflect a beam in two dimensions and can be used in a scanner. Where the beam is a laser, the deflector can be used in a laser imaging radar assembly. Such a scanner and laser imaging radar assembly provide fast scanning of an object or region advantageously without requiring the deflector to move during scanning.

Claims43

Dependent claims

A beam deflector for deflecting a beam of electromagnetic energy comprising:

a plurality of first prisms having a pitch of between 20 μm and 100 μm and (1) a refractive index capable of varying in the presence of an electric or magnetic field, (2) a first face through which the beam enters the plurality of first prisms, and (3) a second face through which the beam exits the plurality of first prisms;
a plurality of second prisms having (1) a refractive index that remains substantially constant, (2) a first face through which the beam enters the plurality of second prisms, and (3) a second face through which the beam exits the plurality of second prisms;
wherein the plurality of first prisms and plurality of second prisms are mated such that the second face of the plurality of first prisms is disposed adjacent the first face of the plurality of second prisms;
a source of an electric or magnetic field constructed and arranged such that the field extends at least through the plurality of first prisms;
and
a first conductive layer disposed adjacent the first face of the plurality of first prisms and a second conductive layer disposed adjacent the second face of the plurality of second prisms and a voltage source electrically connected to the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer for providing the electric field or the magnetic field through the plurality of first prisms when a voltage from the voltage source is applied to the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer;
wherein changes in the flux of the electric field or the magnetic field change the refractive index of the plurality of first prisms thereby changing the angle at which the beam is deflected when passing through the plurality of first prisms and plurality of second prisms.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.